US5437231A - Overhead conveyor system having a pusher device with overload and blockage protection - Google Patents

Overhead conveyor system having a pusher device with overload and blockage protection Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US5437231A
US5437231A US08/168,845 US16884593A US5437231A US 5437231 A US5437231 A US 5437231A US 16884593 A US16884593 A US 16884593A US 5437231 A US5437231 A US 5437231A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
claw
conveyor
pusher
line
conveyor system
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US08/168,845
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Paul Janzen
Winfried Suhling
Gerhard Schilling
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Duerkopp Adler AG
Original Assignee
Duerkopp Adler AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Duerkopp Adler AG filed Critical Duerkopp Adler AG
Assigned to DURKOPP ADLER AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT reassignment DURKOPP ADLER AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: JANZEN, PAUL, SUHLING, WINFRIED, SCHILLING, GERHARD
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US5437231A publication Critical patent/US5437231A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61B—RAILWAY SYSTEMS; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B61B10/00—Power and free systems
    • B61B10/02—Power and free systems with suspended vehicles
    • B61B10/025—Coupling and uncoupling means between power track abd vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G19/00—Conveyors comprising an impeller or a series of impellers carried by an endless traction element and arranged to move articles or materials over a supporting surface or underlying material, e.g. endless scraper conveyors
    • B65G19/02—Conveyors comprising an impeller or a series of impellers carried by an endless traction element and arranged to move articles or materials over a supporting surface or underlying material, e.g. endless scraper conveyors for articles, e.g. for containers
    • B65G19/025—Conveyors comprising an impeller or a series of impellers carried by an endless traction element and arranged to move articles or materials over a supporting surface or underlying material, e.g. endless scraper conveyors for articles, e.g. for containers for suspended articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
    • B65G2201/02—Articles
    • B65G2201/0229—Clothes, clothes hangers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an overhead conveyor system.
  • a conveyor line is formed by a runway rail and a drive chain which revolves horizontally endlessly above and parallel thereto, having at least one branch into another line.
  • the conveyor carriages can be moved out of the line into a branch or secondary line by means of a pusher which is fastened to the conveyor chain and engages the back of each conveyor carriage, the pusher consisting of a carrier device and a claw which is fastened therein on a pin for swinging in a vertical plane.
  • the claw has a first downward position (its active position) and a second position in which it is swung upward in the direction of transport (T).
  • trolleys In particular in the clothing industry, articles of clothing suspended from clothes hangers are hung, for purposes of filling orders or removal, on the carrier rod of single-track conveyor carriages, so-called trolleys, of an overhead conveyor system.
  • Each of the trolleys, which travel on rails, is carried along by a driver which acts on the front track roller and is connected to a drive element which is fastened on the drive chain arranged above the runway rail.
  • Such an overhead conveyor system has different rail lines which are connected to each other by switches. At these switches, a trolley can be moved from the line it is on into a branching conveyor line. For this purpose, a pusher element is also fastened to the drive chain, arranged behind each trolley. When a trolley is removed from the line by a switch, the drive element comes out of engagement with the front track roller at the moment when said roller has left the rail line which it was in. The trolley then slows down and the pusher arranged behind the trolley, which continues to be driven with unchanged speed of revolution by the drive chain, engages the trolley's rear track roller which is still in the main conveyor line. In this way, the trolley continues to be pushed with its original speed into the new branch conveyor line.
  • the claw of the pusher In order for the trolley to be properly pushed out of the main like, the claw of the pusher must be rigid in the direction of transport. In order, however, to be able to introduce a trolley into the line between a pair of individual pushers, the claw is able to swing on the pusher in the direction of transport so that it can be lifted and passed by a trolley coming from the rear.
  • the switch may spring back, so that while the front roller has been removed from the line and placed in the new conveyor line, the rear roller has not been released from the line and so remains in the old conveyor line. Since the U-shaped carrier rods of the conveyor carriages are mounted turnably in the carrier brackets which receive the track rollers, the pusher continues to push the trolley which is now in transverse position until the parallel distance between the front roller and the rear roller has reached the length of the carrier rod. Further transport movement is not possible. If the conveyor chain is not then turned off, there will be a fracture of material.
  • the conveyor carriage In the second case, the conveyor carriage is properly removed from the main line but the new section of line, for whatever reason, is occupied and the trolley strikes against an obstacle. If the obstacle is so close to the main conveyor line that the trolley cannot enter completely into the new conveyor line, it cannot be transported further by the pusher. In this case also there will inevitably be a fracture of material if the drive is not shut off immediately.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to improve the known overhead conveyor system so that, in the event of a blockage when a trolley is being moved out of the main track, damage to the conveyor system or its individual parts is effectively prevented.
  • This object may be achieved in an overhead conveyor system of this type by providing the claw in the pushing device with a third position in which it is swung up in a direction opposite the direction of transport (T) and away from the main track.
  • the claw of the pusher device By providing the claw of the pusher device with a third, upward-swung position opposite to the direction of transport, the claw can be swung away from the main track directly by the trolley which is being prevented from traveling further, and the pusher device can thereby pass by the blocked trolley. If the claw swings into the third position against the force of a spring, it is assured by suitable selection of the spring, that the claw will swing away only upon encountering a substantial force such as can be produced only by a blocked trolley.
  • the pusher device may include a mechanical device such as a flap which can be brought by the claw, when it is swung into the third position, from an inactive position into an active position, and in the active position, the mechanical device visibly indicating the fact that the claw has been swung into the third position.
  • a mechanical device such as a flap which can be brought by the claw, when it is swung into the third position, from an inactive position into an active position, and in the active position, the mechanical device visibly indicating the fact that the claw has been swung into the third position.
  • the mechanical device makes it possible for the operator to note directly the place at which problems have arisen upon the movement of the trolley out of the line. Furthermore, an emergency disconnect switch can be actuated by the mechanical device or outwardly swung flap so that the conveyor system can be stopped immediately upon a blockage. The outwardly swung flap then serves to assist maintenance personnel to easily note the defective switch.
  • Another advantageous feature may be an optical monitoring device which is set up parallel to the conveyor line for detecting an outwardly swung flap. If an optical monitoring device is set up in the vicinity of the switch parallel to the conveyor line so that the outwardly swung flap of a pusher device interrupts the beam of light of the monitoring device, an automatic signal can be given to the control unit of the conveyor system, which signal can be used to stop the drive chain.
  • FIG. 1 is an schematic view of a segment of an overhead conveyor system
  • FIG. 2 shows schematically a main conveyor line and a secondary conveyor line which are connected together by a switch
  • FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the pusher
  • FIG. 4 is a top view of the pusher shown in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of the pusher shown in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 6 shows the pusher of FIG. 3 with upward-swung claw
  • FIG. 7 shows the pusher of FIG. 4 with upward-swung claw
  • FIG. 8 shows the pusher of FIG. 5 with upward-swung claw
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an individual part contained in FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 1 shows the overall construction of an overhead conveyor system.
  • the conveyor carriages 1 include a carrier rod 33, which is bent into a U-shape and is mounted turnably at both its ends in track-roller supports 34.
  • Each track-roller support 34 supports a shaft 31 of a front or rear track roller 30.
  • Around the track roller there is provided a bumper cap 32 for being acted upon by the driver 18, made preferably of plastic, of the drive element 21.
  • Track-roller supports 34, track rollers 30 and bumper caps 32 are identical for the front and rear ends of the conveyor carriage 1 and therefore are provided with the same reference numerals in the drawings.
  • the overhead conveyor system includes a chain channel 6 with a drive chain 5 revolving therein continuously, driven by a gear motor (not shown in detail), and a runway rail 4, the profile of which is not further shown.
  • the track rollers 30 are provided with a concentric circumferential groove (not shown) so that, in known manner, they roll guided on the profile of the runway rail 4.
  • Runway rail 4, drive chain 5, and chain channel 6 form the conveyor line.
  • the drive chain 5 which is driven in continuous revolution by a motor M (FIG. 2) is three-dimensionally articulate so that both ascending and descending paths can be moved over by the conveyor carriage 1 and the conveyor line can also assume an arcuate path.
  • the drive chain 5 is guided in the chain channel 6 by carrier and support rollers 35, 36.
  • a drive element 21 or a pusher 8 is fastened to the drive chain 5 in each case in the region of two adjacent carrier rollers 35 on carrier brackets 37 which protrude downward from the chain channel 6.
  • Drive element 21 and pusher 8 are connected in turn with the drive chain 5.
  • the driver 18 which is provided on the drive element 21 acts on the bumper cap 32 of the front track roller 30 of the conveyor carriage 1, as seen with reference to the direction of transport T, and pushes it with the speed of the revolving drive chain 5.
  • the pusher 8 is arranged at a horizontal distance behind the rear track roller 30 of the conveyor carriage 1.
  • the pusher 8 (FIG. 3) has a claw 2 which is swingably mounted around a pin 10, a carrier element 22, a plate 9 which is mounted on the carrier element 22 for swinging against the force of the spring 12, and a plate 11 which can be swung outward by the upward swinging claw 2 and on which a flap 13 (FIG. 4) is fastened.
  • the carrier element 22 has a profile of U-shaped cross section (FIG. 5).
  • the claw is swingably supported via the pin 10 in a bore 23 provided between side cheeks 22a, 22b.
  • the rear surface 22c of the carrier element 22 is provided, above the claw 2, with a recess 14 which extends over the entire width. The length of the recess is somewhat greater than the width of the claw 2.
  • the plate 9 is swingably fastened over the rear surface 22c of the pusher 8 between the front and rear carrier brackets 37, 37a.
  • the plate 9 is provided on its front end with a downwardly bent tongue 9a which engages into a hole 24 which is provided in the rear surface 22c.
  • the front end of the plate 9 is provided centrally with a slot 9b.
  • the plate 11 In front of the recess 14 is the plate 11 bearing the flap 13, fastened in horizontally swingable manner via a bolt connection 16, 16a on the rear surface 22c of the carrier element 22.
  • the plate 11 has the angular shape which can be noted from FIG. 7.
  • a nose 17 On a horizontally engaging active side of the plate 11 there is developed a nose 17 which extends along the recess 14 in the applied position of the plate 11 and the flap 13 shown in FIG. 4.
  • the rear edge 2a of the claw 2 is rounded and protrudes so far over the rear surface 22c that a force in the counterclockwise direction will act on the rear edge 2a via the plate 9 if the claw 2 is swung so far upward that the edge 2a comes in front of the pivot point formed by the pin 10 (FIG. 6). This moment of force holds the claw 2 in its upraised third position and prevents it from swinging backward as a result of the force exerted by the weight of the claw 2.
  • a force causing the claw 2 to swing upward will result from a conveyor carriage 1 which is blocked in the region of the switch 19.
  • the pusher 8 will accordingly be able to move over the rear roller 30 of the conveyor carriage 1 without being damaged.
  • an optical monitoring device 3 is provided on the conveyor line 6.
  • This monitoring device 3 can, for instance, be a laser or a traditional light barrier.
  • a light barrier 3 consisting of a radiator and a reflector is diagrammatically shown.
  • This monitoring device 3 is so oriented that it radiates past the drive elements 21 and the pushers 8. If, due to a blockage, the claw 2 swings up and the flap 13 thereby swings out, the beam of light of the monitoring device 3 is interrupted and it is thereby noted that a conveyor carriage 1 in the region of the switch 19 cannot be transported further.
  • the monitoring device 3 is connected with the control unit 20 of the conveyor system. By the interruption of the beam of light, a signal is given to the control unit 20, serving immediately to stop the drive of the conveyor chain 5. Damage to the conveyor system is thereby effectively prevented.
  • the outwardly swung flap 13 subsequently helps maintenance personnel to discover the switch 19 by which the signal has been triggered.
  • a microswitch can also be arranged in the vicinity of the switch 19 in such a manner that it is actuated by the outwardly swung flap 13. The stopping of the conveyor system is then effected by an electromechanical operation.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Chain Conveyers (AREA)
  • Carriers, Traveling Bodies, And Overhead Traveling Cranes (AREA)
  • Control Of Conveyors (AREA)
  • Leg Units, Guards, And Driving Tracks Of Cranes (AREA)
  • Special Conveying (AREA)
US08/168,845 1992-12-24 1993-12-17 Overhead conveyor system having a pusher device with overload and blockage protection Expired - Fee Related US5437231A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4244152.8 1992-12-24
DE4244152A DE4244152C1 (de) 1992-12-24 1992-12-24 Hängeförderanlage mit einer Ausschiebevorrichtung mit Überlastfunktion

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5437231A true US5437231A (en) 1995-08-01

Family

ID=6476583

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/168,845 Expired - Fee Related US5437231A (en) 1992-12-24 1993-12-17 Overhead conveyor system having a pusher device with overload and blockage protection

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US5437231A (de)
EP (1) EP0603468B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH06316259A (de)
AT (1) ATE153610T1 (de)
DE (2) DE4244152C1 (de)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996020858A1 (es) * 1994-12-30 1996-07-11 Vinas Sanchez Eugenio Sistema aereo-transportador de masas y pinza de apertura y cierre mecanico
US6367612B1 (en) 2000-08-04 2002-04-09 Erie Manufacturing Inc. Retractable pusher dog for power and free conveyors
US6435099B2 (en) 2000-04-07 2002-08-20 Ridg-U-Rak, Inc. Powered pushing unit
CN101439805B (zh) * 2007-11-20 2010-12-08 同方威视技术股份有限公司 牵引装置
US20110214967A1 (en) * 2010-03-04 2011-09-08 Durkopp Fordertechnik Gmbh Conveyor installation for hanging items
US20120152697A1 (en) * 2010-12-06 2012-06-21 Durkopp Fordertechnik Gmbh Conveyor installation with carrying bags for products to be conveyed
US10207877B2 (en) * 2017-02-13 2019-02-19 Dürkopp Fördertechnik GmbH Guard device for transport bags in a loading station of an overhead conveyor system and loading station comprising a guard device of this type
US10961057B2 (en) * 2019-06-11 2021-03-30 BEUMER Group GmbH & Co. KG Separating device, traction mechanism with at least one separating device, transport system and method for separating and driving at least one load carrier

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2628826A1 (de) * 2012-02-14 2013-08-21 Sandvik Intellectual Property AB Beschichtetes Schneidwerkzeug und Herstellungsverfahren dafür
CN102785909B (zh) * 2012-07-27 2014-11-19 江苏速升自动化装备股份有限公司 一种带有补轨的积放式悬挂输送机分层交叉轨道
CN110203828B (zh) * 2018-02-28 2020-08-25 宝山钢铁股份有限公司 行车吊运板坯的方法
CN113335654A (zh) * 2021-05-06 2021-09-03 无锡西奇智能科技有限公司 一种过载保护装置
CN113702656B (zh) * 2021-08-27 2024-06-07 中元汇吉生物技术股份有限公司 进料排序装置及样本分析仪
CH720516A1 (de) * 2023-02-17 2024-08-30 Ferag Ag Hängeförderer

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1163357B (de) * 1959-12-22 1964-02-20 Hauhinco Maschf Mitnehmervorrichtung zum Verschieben von Foerderwagen, insbesondere in Bergwerksbetrieben
US4073237A (en) * 1975-06-24 1978-02-14 Nakanishi Conveyors Co. Ltd. Power and free conveyor with pusher disengaging means operable on curved sections of conveyor track
US4108078A (en) * 1976-03-06 1978-08-22 Pfalzstahlbau Gmbh Coupling apparatus on a circulating tow conveyor
US4939999A (en) * 1988-08-30 1990-07-10 Mid-West Conveyor Co., Inc. Integrated conveyor system with constant speed drive chain
JPH04243728A (ja) * 1991-01-24 1992-08-31 Naito Densei Machida Seisakusho:Kk ワーク搬送用プッシャー装置

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2359267A1 (de) * 1973-11-28 1975-06-12 Schierholz Kg Louis Hilfsmitnehmer an foerderketten fuer schleppkreisfoerderer
JPS5845163Y2 (ja) * 1979-05-02 1983-10-14 中西金属工業株式会社 複動式トロリ・コンベヤのパワ−・ライン断続部分におけるキヤリヤ移送装置
DE3914763A1 (de) * 1989-05-05 1990-12-06 Duerkopp Adler Ag Stationaere antriebsvorrichtung in einem schleppkreisfoerderer
DE9202325U1 (de) * 1992-02-22 1992-04-16 psb GmbH Förderanlagen und Lagertechnik, 6780 Pirmasens Kupplung für Schleppkreisförderer

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1163357B (de) * 1959-12-22 1964-02-20 Hauhinco Maschf Mitnehmervorrichtung zum Verschieben von Foerderwagen, insbesondere in Bergwerksbetrieben
US4073237A (en) * 1975-06-24 1978-02-14 Nakanishi Conveyors Co. Ltd. Power and free conveyor with pusher disengaging means operable on curved sections of conveyor track
US4108078A (en) * 1976-03-06 1978-08-22 Pfalzstahlbau Gmbh Coupling apparatus on a circulating tow conveyor
US4939999A (en) * 1988-08-30 1990-07-10 Mid-West Conveyor Co., Inc. Integrated conveyor system with constant speed drive chain
JPH04243728A (ja) * 1991-01-24 1992-08-31 Naito Densei Machida Seisakusho:Kk ワーク搬送用プッシャー装置

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996020858A1 (es) * 1994-12-30 1996-07-11 Vinas Sanchez Eugenio Sistema aereo-transportador de masas y pinza de apertura y cierre mecanico
US6435099B2 (en) 2000-04-07 2002-08-20 Ridg-U-Rak, Inc. Powered pushing unit
US6367612B1 (en) 2000-08-04 2002-04-09 Erie Manufacturing Inc. Retractable pusher dog for power and free conveyors
CN101439805B (zh) * 2007-11-20 2010-12-08 同方威视技术股份有限公司 牵引装置
US20110214967A1 (en) * 2010-03-04 2011-09-08 Durkopp Fordertechnik Gmbh Conveyor installation for hanging items
US8561787B2 (en) * 2010-03-04 2013-10-22 Dürkopp Fördertechnik GmbH Conveyor installation for hanging items
US20120152697A1 (en) * 2010-12-06 2012-06-21 Durkopp Fordertechnik Gmbh Conveyor installation with carrying bags for products to be conveyed
US8672118B2 (en) * 2010-12-06 2014-03-18 Duekopp Foerdertecknik Gmbh Conveyor installation with carrying bags for products to be conveyed
US10207877B2 (en) * 2017-02-13 2019-02-19 Dürkopp Fördertechnik GmbH Guard device for transport bags in a loading station of an overhead conveyor system and loading station comprising a guard device of this type
US10961057B2 (en) * 2019-06-11 2021-03-30 BEUMER Group GmbH & Co. KG Separating device, traction mechanism with at least one separating device, transport system and method for separating and driving at least one load carrier

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE4244152C1 (de) 1994-06-30
EP0603468B1 (de) 1997-05-28
EP0603468A1 (de) 1994-06-29
ATE153610T1 (de) 1997-06-15
JPH06316259A (ja) 1994-11-15
DE59306594D1 (de) 1997-07-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5437231A (en) Overhead conveyor system having a pusher device with overload and blockage protection
US5277124A (en) Direction control assembly for a material handling car having pivoted divert aims engaging tracks for guidance in switch area
US5590995A (en) Conveying rail system for a trolly
US5450796A (en) Transport system with electric rail cars
US3858707A (en) Conveyor system
US5511487A (en) Transport system with electric movers
US3995561A (en) Conveyor stop mechanism
US3726233A (en) Rear trolley dog for power and free push through transfer
US4034677A (en) Railroad classification yards
US5052546A (en) Conveyor having a circulating article carrier element
US4287829A (en) Carrier stopping device for power-and-free conveyor
US6161483A (en) Accumulator mechanism for detaching trolleys from drive chains in power and free conveyor system
US3858626A (en) Conveyor system
US4433628A (en) Apparatus for preventing runaway of carriers in power and free conveyor
US3648618A (en) Subfloor conveyor system and dolly therefor
US3175516A (en) Conveyor apparatus
JP2021123497A (ja) 搬送装置
US5429055A (en) Drive element for the load carrier of an overhead conveyor system
US3831528A (en) Pressure relieved trolley stop for conveyors
CA2162322A1 (en) Garage for a continous cable railway
EP0392623B1 (de) Geneigter Rollenförderer
US20020027060A1 (en) Method for a gap-free line-up of containers supplied successively from a pick-up section
JP3106240B2 (ja) 緩停止構造を具えたレール走行式茶園管理装置
GB2042448A (en) Coupling device for towing conveyors
US6253684B1 (en) Stop mechanism for power and free conveyor system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: DURKOPP ADLER AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, GERMANY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:JANZEN, PAUL;SUHLING, WINFRIED;SCHILLING, GERHARD;REEL/FRAME:006893/0564;SIGNING DATES FROM 19940124 TO 19940126

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20070801